Key West Architecture

The back of the historic Customs House in Key West. Built in 1891, this building was once a post office, customs house, and Federal courthouse where shipwreck salvage cases were heard. The inquiry into the sinking of the USS Maine was held here. It is Romanesque Revival architecture, the finest in the state, constructed of red brick with terra-cotta trim.

This historic home was built in the 1850s by Asa Tift in the French Colonial style of architecture, the only one in Old Town Key West. Ernest and Pauline Hemingway lived here for nearly ten years, starting in 1931. This is where Hemingway did some of his best work including: "To Have or Have Not," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "A Farewell to Arms."

Benito Alfonso built this historic house in Key West in 1891. In 1906 Antonio Diaz y Carrasco, the first Cuban Consul to the United States, bought this house and his consul office was here. It's an excellent example of the variety of historic architecture in Old Town Key West.

This historic house was built in the 1850s by Asa Tift in the French Colonial style of architecture, the only one in Old Town Key West. Ernest and Pauline Hemingway lived here for nearly ten years, starting in 1931.

This historic architecture was first built in Key West as a bank in 1891 by Cuban cigar factory owners. This is also the bank at Duval and Front Streets that was robbed in Ernest Hemingway's novel "To Have and Have Not."

Hemingway's Writing Studio in historic Key West is an historic site not to be missed. This French Colonial architecture is where Hemingway did some of his best work, including "To Have and Have Not," "The Snows of Kilimanjaro," and "A Farewell to Arms." A six toed cat, "Audrey Hepburn" is on the tin roof.

Henry Flagler built a luxury hotel for his passengers at each stop along his historic overseas railroad, that ended in Key West. Construction of the Casa Marina started in 1918 and the hotel opened New Years Eve 1920.

In 1871, a group of Cuban patriots formed the San Carlos Institute as a place to meet and conspire for Cuba's independence from Spain. This historic structure was built in 1924 and is modeled after Havana City Hall. Today it's a cultural center and a museum.

The historic John Lowe Jr. home on Southard Street in Key West, with its famous Captain's Walk. Shipwreck captains stood on top, looking for shipwrecks on the coral reef, five miles offshore. This house is in the Bahama style of architecture.

This historic home, with a captain's walk, The Curry Mansion, was built by Milton Curry in 1905. The house is in the Newport Cottage style of architecture, that was popular in Key West in the late 1800's.

Chinese lanterns in front of the historic Federal Courthouse on Simonton Street in Key West. In the early 1900's a Chinese cargo ship made a stop in Key West and didn't have cash to pay the customs officer, so they gave us these lanterns.

The most famous bar in Key West, Sloppy Joe's was Ernest Hemingway's favorite bar. It was built by his fishing buddy Sloppy Joe Russell. It's located on Duval and Green Streets in historic Old Town Key West.

Francisco Marrero bribed his way out of a Cuban jail, came to Key West and by 1889 owned a large cigar factory. He built this historic house, a fine example of the many architectural treasures in Old Town, in the 1890s.

A Shotgun house in historic Key West with some nice gingerbread. Houses like this were built all over Key West in the 1880's for the cigar factory workers. The variety of architecture in Old Town is truly amazing!

Close up shot of the historic Customs House in Key West, showing the fine craftsmanship from 1891. The Customs House is Romanesque Revival architecture, constructed of red brick with stone and terra-cotta trim.

Hemingway's Home

This historic home was built in the 1850s by Asa Tift in the French Colonial style of architecture, the only one in Old Town Key West. Ernest and Pauline Hemingway lived here for nearly ten years, starting in 1931. This is where Hemingway did some of his best work including: "To Have or Have Not," "For Whom the Bell Tolls," and "A Farewell to Arms."